Jódar and an unstoppable rise very close to the top 10: can he achieve it in Canada?
The last major tournament for the player from Madrid elevates him, at the very least, to the #11 spot in the world rankings (for now). Can he dream of the top-10? We analyze all scenarios.
The Leganés monster is still very hungry. More and more. It devours rivals with extreme voracity, in different locations, showing no mercy against various styles. Two weeks of rest have allowed him to regain the sharpness in his shots, the agility and instinct in his returns, and the ability to finish points with approaches to the net. Yes, we are talking about Rafael Jódar, who excites us not only with the possibility of becoming, for the first time, a champion of a Masters 1000 at the ATP Montreal 2026: but also because he can experience a rise in the ATP ranking that deserves thorough analysis.
The progression and evolution of the Madrid native are an example of what a good mindset, consistency, the right mentality and work ethic, and privileged genetics can achieve. It was around this time last year when Rafa started to emerge on the Challenger circuit: after an exceptional season in U.S. college, Jódar would conquer his first title in just a few days in Hersonissos, Greece... on a tour where he arrived outside the top-500 of the ATP ranking.
A progression that finds a new objective: can Jódar be top-10?
A year later, the data leaves no room for doubt. Winner of an ATP title, Grand Slam quarterfinalist, victories over several top-10 players, perfect adaptation to the rhythm of the professional circuit... Jódar has been reaping rewards, and now he finds one of those precious treasures that validate all his sacrifices: the possibility of entering the select group of the ten best in the world.
Whatever happens, the Madrid native is assured of leaving Canada in the top-12 of the ranking. He is already #11 in the world, but could be surpassed by Learner Tien if the American clinches the crown: that said, the goal is to climb one more rung, to achieve what seems a miracle, but is still not impossible.
Jódar will indeed need the invaluable help of Learner Tien to fulfill this hypothesis. The Madrid native's victory over Fils in the quarterfinals keeps the dream alive, but Ben Shelton, who currently holds that tenth place, is also advancing in Canadian lands. Thus, before the semifinals, there is only one scenario in which Jódar would leave Canada as a top-10: to win the title next Thursday... and to do so in the final against Learner, in a match that would be worth more than just a title and would mean Shelton would be out of contention.
If Ben defeats his compatriot and reaches the final, whatever happens in the title match he will have retained his spot in the top-10. The Spaniard needs a stellar performance and a bit of luck, although the scenario of playing for a Masters 1000 and a spot in the top-10 will surely motivate Learner to give his best against someone who has been showing the best tennis among all the title contenders throughout the tournament.
The ATP Race continues to be ravaged by Jódar
What is truly frightening, indeed, is taking a look at the numbers from this season. Can Jódar consider himself one of the five best players of 2026? The accumulated points open the debate: Jódar is already #7 of the year, embroiled in a battle with Shelton that may conclude in a hypothetical final. In front of him are only Sinner, Zverev, Alcaraz, Cobolli, a declining Medvedev, and Ben himself, rivals he saw from a distance just months ago and with whom he is now competing in victories, points, and consistency. It's one of the great stories of the year, a meteoric rise that wants much more and has not yet given up on its dream of the top-10. What if we choose to keep dreaming?
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Jódar y una imparable ascensión muy cerca del top-10: ¿puede lograrlo en Canadá?